Review: Naturehike Seek Wind Pro Hiking Backpacks
Naturehike's new Seek Wind Pro range represents a noticeable step up from the brand's previous generation of hiking backpacks. The design is more sophisticated, the feature set is extensive and, most importantly, the new AIR FLOAT suspension system fundamentally changes how the pack feels on your back.
We tested the 65L and 35L Seek Wind Pro backpacks over five days on the Otter Trail, carrying approximately 10–12 kg and 8 kg respectively.
The standout feature was undoubtedly the suspension system. Ventilation was exceptional, load stability was excellent and, once properly adjusted, both packs remained remarkably comfortable throughout the hike.
There are a few small details that could be improved, but our overall impression was extremely positive. This feels less like another affordable Naturehike backpack and more like a serious technical hiking pack designed to compete further up the market.
Pre-launch review: At the time of testing, the Seek Wind Pro range had not yet officially launched in South Africa. We will update this review with confirmed local pricing once available.
The Seek Wind Pro range
The Seek Wind Pro is currently available in three configurations:
- 35L
- 65L Men's
- 65L Women's
We field-tested the 35L and men's 65L models.
The women's 65L was not tested, so we won't make any claims about its comfort or fit. It shares the basic architecture and 65L capacity of the men's model but uses a fit system specifically adapted for female anatomy, including a shorter torso range, shorter shoulder harness and smaller hip-belt range.
Key specifications
Seek Wind Pro 35L
Capacity: 35 litres
Weight: approximately 1.46 kg
Dimensions: approximately 29.5 × 18.5 × 60 cm
Main fabric: 97% nylon / 3% polyester
Suspension: AIR FLOAT ventilated suspension system
Hardware: YKK zips and DURAFLEX/ITW components
Rain cover: Included
Seek Wind Pro 65L Men's
Capacity: 65 litres
Weight: approximately 1.83 kg
Dimensions: approximately 26 × 24.5 × 63 cm
Back length: approximately 49–54 cm
Shoulder strap length: approximately 45 cm
Hip-belt range: approximately 85–130 cm
Main fabric: 97% nylon / 3% polyester
Suspension: AIR FLOAT ventilated suspension system
Hardware: YKK zips and DURAFLEX/ITW components
Rain cover: Included
Seek Wind Pro 65L Women's
Capacity: 65 litres
Weight: approximately 1.79 kg
Dimensions: approximately 26 × 24.5 × 63 cm
Back length: approximately 43–48 cm
Shoulder strap length: approximately 41 cm
Hip-belt range: approximately 79–124 cm
The women's 65L model was not field-tested as part of this review.
Field test
We used two Seek Wind Pro packs throughout a five-day Otter Trail hike.
I carried the men's 65L with an estimated pack weight of around 10–12 kg, while my wife used the 35L with a load of approximately 8 kg.
The Otter provided an excellent testing environment. Although our loads weren't particularly heavy and the overnight huts meant we weren't carrying tents or mattresses, the route still involves five consecutive days of hiking with plenty of climbing, descending, scrambling and uneven terrain.
It gave us enough time to move beyond first impressions and see how the packs felt after several consecutive days on the trail.
First impressions: this is a very good-looking backpack
Let's get this out of the way first: the Seek Wind Pro looks excellent.
Backpack aesthetics obviously aren't as important as fit, comfort or functionality, but there is no reason good outdoor equipment shouldn't also be well designed.
The Seek Wind Pro has a modern, technical appearance without becoming unnecessarily complicated or flashy. The proportions are good, the pack remains relatively narrow and streamlined, and the three available colours are particularly well considered.
We tested the green versions of both packs and they looked great on the trail.
It feels like Naturehike has put considerably more thought into the industrial design of this generation, and the result is a pack that visually competes comfortably with considerably more established premium hiking brands.
The AIR FLOAT suspension system is the star
If there is one reason to pay attention to the Seek Wind Pro, it is the suspension system.
Naturehike calls it AIR FLOAT.
A tensioned 3D mesh panel creates a substantial air gap between your back and the body of the backpack. The system is designed to improve airflow while combining with the shoulder harness, load lifters and hip belt to distribute the load.
On the Otter, it worked exceptionally well.
This was possibly the first multi-day hike I've completed where I didn't routinely remove my backpack to find the back of my shirt soaked with sweat.
There is a genuine gap between your body and the pack, allowing air to move through the area rather than trapping heat and moisture directly against your back.
The difference was immediately noticeable.
In fact, on colder sections of the hike I occasionally found myself reaching behind my back and temporarily tucking my lightweight jacket into the cavity between the mesh and the backpack when I didn't want to stop and pack it away.
That's obviously not what the ventilation cavity is designed for – and doing so compromises the airflow – but it illustrates just how substantial the gap actually is.
Ventilated back panels aren't new.
What impressed me was how effective this one proved to be in real use.
Easy to adjust and fine-tune
The suspension system is also highly adjustable.
On the first morning we stopped once or twice to fine-tune both packs. Changing the back-length setting takes seconds, and there are enough adjustment positions to make meaningful changes rather than simply choosing between one or two generic sizes.
The 35L took slightly more experimentation to get right for my wife.
At one stage she felt that the upper part of the pack was interfering slightly with her head movement. We adjusted the suspension position and straps, and once we had the pack sitting correctly the issue disappeared.
That highlights something important with adjustable packs: take the time to fit them properly before judging their comfort.
Once both packs were dialled in, we made very few adjustments for the remainder of the hike.
Exceptional long-distance comfort
This was probably my strongest impression of the 65L.
With backpacks I've used previously, I often find myself shifting the load during a long hiking day.
I'll initially carry most of the weight through the hip belt. Once my hips become tired, I'll loosen it slightly and tighten the shoulder straps to transfer some load onto my shoulders. Later I'll reverse the process.
Over a multi-day hike I can end up repeating that process continually simply to relieve whichever part of my body is becoming fatigued.
I didn't do that with the Seek Wind Pro.
Once I'd found the correct suspension setting and adjusted the hip belt and shoulder straps, the pack remained comfortable from the first day to the last.
My 10–12 kg load wasn't exceptionally heavy, which needs to be acknowledged, but the difference was still noticeable.
The pack was comfortable enough that during shorter group stops I sometimes didn't even bother taking it off.
That's probably the strongest compliment I can give a multi-day hiking pack.
Excellent stability on technical terrain
Comfort would mean little if the suspended back system allowed the pack to move excessively.
Fortunately, it doesn't.
Despite the air gap between your back and the body of the pack, I experienced virtually no unwanted sway from the 65L.
Through the Otter's climbs, descents and more technical terrain, the pack remained planted and confidence-inspiring.
The relatively narrow profile probably contributes here.
Rather than building a wide rectangular pack, Naturehike has kept the main body relatively streamlined. Additional width appears lower down around the side storage and bottle pockets, where it is less intrusive.
The result is a 65L pack that doesn't feel unnecessarily bulky when moving through tighter terrain.
Finally, bottle pockets I could actually use while walking
This was one of my favourite features on the 65L.
I've used hydration bladders for years, partly because so many backpack bottle pockets are theoretically accessible while wearing the pack but practically impossible to use without becoming a contortionist.
The Seek Wind Pro's two bottle holsters actually work.
I could remove and replace bottles on either side without taking the pack off – and could comfortably do it while walking.
For me, that's a major advantage.
I've become less fond of hydration bladders because refilling a reservoir buried inside a packed backpack can be unnecessarily inconvenient. Having bottles immediately accessible gives me better visibility of how much water I have left and makes refilling simpler.
The Seek Wind Pro may finally have converted me back to bottles.
The pack still includes a proper internal hydration sleeve and hose port for hikers who prefer a bladder. My wife used this system on the 35L without issue.
Excellent on-the-go storage
The bottle holsters are surrounded by generous side storage pockets, with compression straps running above them.
I used these areas for trekking poles, aqua shoes and miscellaneous equipment I wanted accessible without opening the main compartment.
There is also a large stretch pocket across the front of the pack.
Naturehike has sensibly avoided constructing the entire pocket from exposed stretch mesh. A tougher fabric panel runs through the centre, with stretch sections on either side.
That's a good design decision.
Large mesh pockets are extremely useful but can be vulnerable to branches, rocks and general trail abuse. The reinforced centre gives this one a more robust feel while retaining the flexibility that makes this style of pocket useful.
Mine swallowed a small folding stool, water filter, quick-dry towel, jacket and other regularly accessed equipment.
After five days, there was no visible damage to the fabric or mesh.
Small details make a big difference
The Seek Wind Pro is full of smaller storage features that become useful once you start living out of the pack.
Both sides of the hip belt incorporate generously sized zipped pockets. I used these primarily for snacks and could access them easily while walking.
The zips themselves deserve mention. They operated smoothly throughout the hike and the pull loops are large enough to grab easily.
The 65L also incorporates a stretch pocket on the shoulder strap.
I used this for my phone.
That meant I could pull it out for a quick photograph and return it without removing the backpack or finding somewhere else to secure the phone.
Depending on your setup, the same pocket could potentially accommodate other frequently accessed items or a compatible soft flask.
These aren't headline features, but collectively they reduce the number of times you need to stop and remove your backpack during the day.
That matters.
Plenty of organisation in the lid
The 65L offers an impressive amount of storage around the top lid.
There are two externally accessible compartments of different sizes, with additional internal organiser pockets useful for smaller items.
I used one of these to give my headlamp a permanent home. Instead of disappearing into the bottom of a larger pocket, I always knew exactly where it was.
There is another zipped storage compartment underneath the lid.
Four attachment loops on top provide additional options for securing external equipment if required.
The result is enough organisation to keep small equipment accessible without turning the pack into a maze of tiny compartments.
Main compartment and bottom access
The main compartment itself is relatively conventional: large, uncomplicated and easy to pack.
An internal hydration sleeve sits against the back panel, with a dedicated hanger and hose outlet.
The 65L also provides separate access through the bottom of the pack.
I particularly appreciated this.
I stored my down sleeping bag and inflatable pillow in the lower section, separated from the rest of my equipment by the internal divider.
The divider isn't completely sealed at the sides, but it does enough to keep sleeping equipment contained in the bottom section.
When we reached camp, I could open the lower zip and immediately retrieve my sleeping gear without unpacking everything above it.
Compression straps run across the bottom of the pack and can also potentially be used to secure additional equipment externally.
There is additional access into the main body of the pack from the side.
I didn't use this much during the Otter because the pack wasn't filled to capacity. On a fully loaded, self-supported trip, however, being able to reach equipment buried in the main compartment without unpacking from the top could become considerably more useful.
Small buckles: clever or too small?
One detail surprised me when I first examined the pack.
Many of the buckles are tiny.
Even the main hip-belt buckle is noticeably smaller than what I'm accustomed to seeing on a multi-day hiking backpack.
The obvious benefit is reduced bulk and, presumably, some weight saving. Naturehike also uses recognised hardware suppliers including DURAFLEX and ITW, and nothing during our test suggested a strength or quality problem.
But the small size does have a minor usability consequence.
I occasionally found the hip-belt buckle slightly fiddly to connect while walking. If the two halves weren't aligned properly, I could partially jam them together and would need to separate them before trying again.
Once clipped, however, it felt completely secure.
After five days I had no durability concerns, so at this stage I'd describe the small hardware as a minor ergonomic compromise rather than a weakness.
The 35L is more capable than its capacity suggests
The 35L surprised me.
On paper, 35 litres sounds like a relatively small daypack. In person, the Seek Wind Pro 35L looks and functions much more like a compact trekking backpack.
Part of that impression comes from its proportions. It is relatively tall and streamlined rather than short and bulky.
More importantly, the usable capacity is supplemented by generous external storage and attachment options.
For serious day hikes it provides plenty of room. For lightweight overnight trips, hut-to-hut hiking or trips where bulky sleeping equipment isn't required, I think you could push the 35L considerably further than expected.
It also compresses down effectively when lightly loaded.
That versatility makes it interesting beyond conventional hiking. I'm considering using it as a travel daypack on an overseas trip where we'll be spending long days walking and exploring.
At approximately 1.46 kg, it isn't an ultralight daypack – but it offers the suspension, structure and load-carrying ability of a proper hiking pack rather than a simple lightweight bag.
35L or 65L?
These aren't simply small and large versions intended for exactly the same use.
The 35L makes the most sense for serious day hiking, hut-to-hut trips, lightweight overnight hiking, travel or situations where you don't need to carry a complete self-supported multi-day load.
Its relatively generous form factor and external storage make it surprisingly versatile.
The 65L is the proper multi-day trekking option.
Even with my 10–12 kg Otter load, I still had capacity available. Fully packed, 65 litres should provide enough room for a substantially more self-sufficient hiking setup without moving into the enormous expedition-pack category.
For typical South African multi-day hiking, I think 65 litres represents a very useful middle ground.
The women's 65L
Naturehike also offers a women's-specific version of the 65L.
We did not field-test this model, so we can't comment on its fit or comfort.
It retains the same basic capacity and pack architecture but uses different harness dimensions, including a shorter stated back-length range of approximately 43–48 cm compared with 49–54 cm on the men's version. The shoulder straps are also shorter and the hip-belt range is reduced.
Those differences should make it easier for hikers with smaller or shorter physiques to achieve the intended fit.
But until we've actually tested it, we'll leave our assessment there.
Rain cover
Both packs include a rain cover.
Interestingly, there isn't a dedicated rain-cover compartment. The covers arrived stored in one of the upper pockets.
Initially that seems like an omission, but I'm not convinced it is a problem.
It gives you the choice of where to keep the cover – or whether to carry it at all when conditions don't warrant it.
We experienced only around half an hour of light drizzle during the Otter, so this wasn't remotely enough rain to evaluate waterproof performance properly.
What we could evaluate was the design.
The cover was quick to fit and particularly secure. In addition to wrapping around the pack, it incorporates a strap around the suspended back system and additional lower attachment points.
Compared with some loose elasticated pack covers I've used, it felt very well anchored.
Naturehike rates the supplied cover to PU2000 waterproofing, but we'll reserve judgement on sustained wet-weather performance until we've actually used it in those conditions.
Durability
Five days isn't enough to make long-term durability claims about a hiking backpack.
It is, however, enough time for obvious weaknesses to start appearing.
We found none.
Neither test pack showed meaningful visible damage after the Otter. The main fabric, reinforced front pocket, stretch mesh, zips, straps and buckles all came through the hike without issue.
Everything feels appropriately robust for the intended use.
Longer-term testing will ultimately tell us more, particularly around the tensioned mesh suspension and smaller hardware, but there is nothing at this stage that causes concern.
The trade-off
The Seek Wind Pro isn't positioned as an ultralight backpack.
At approximately 1.83 kg for the men's 65L and 1.46 kg for the 35L, there are unquestionably lighter packs available.
What you're getting in exchange for that weight is a proper load-bearing suspension system, exceptional back ventilation, substantial adjustability, excellent organisation, accessible bottle storage, hydration compatibility, multiple access points, a rain cover and a considerable amount of external storage.
For me, that trade makes sense.
I'd rather carry a few hundred additional grams in the backpack itself if the result is noticeably better comfort over five consecutive days.
And in our experience, it was.
Verdict
The Naturehike Seek Wind Pro impressed me considerably more than I expected.
Naturehike has produced good-value hiking backpacks for years, but this feels like something different.
The AIR FLOAT suspension system isn't merely a marketing feature. It was the standout element of our five-day test, providing exceptional ventilation while keeping the load stable and comfortable across varied terrain.
Add genuinely accessible bottle holsters, excellent on-the-go storage, a narrow and manoeuvrable profile, thoughtful organisation and very good build quality, and the result is an impressively complete hiking pack.
The 35L deserves particular mention. It feels much more capable than the number on the label might suggest and could prove to be the sweet spot for serious day hikes, hut-based hiking, lightweight overnighters and travel.
The 65L, meanwhile, feels like a very well-judged size for proper multi-day use.
There are minor criticisms. The unusually small hip-belt buckle can be slightly fiddly, the 35L required some experimentation before we found the ideal fit, and we haven't tested the rain cover in sustained bad weather.
None materially changed our experience.
After five days on the Otter, both packs remained comfortable, stable and damage-free.
Would I recommend the Seek Wind Pro? Absolutely.
Local pricing will ultimately determine how its value compares with established premium competitors, but purely on design, comfort, features and our initial field experience, the Seek Wind Pro deserves to be considered alongside considerably more established technical hiking packs.
Bottom line: The Seek Wind Pro feels like Naturehike moving into a more premium class of hiking backpack. Exceptional ventilation, excellent comfort and genuinely useful trail features make this one of the most impressive Naturehike packs we've tested.
Pros
- Exceptional back ventilation
- Excellent comfort over consecutive hiking days
- Highly adjustable AIR FLOAT suspension system
- Very stable on technical terrain
- Streamlined, manoeuvrable design
- Excellent bottle access on the 65L
- Plenty of genuinely useful on-the-go storage
- Smooth, easy-to-use zips
- Useful bottom access on the 65L
- Reinforced front stretch pocket
- Secure rain-cover attachment
- Excellent overall design and aesthetics
- No durability issues during our five-day test
Cons
- Small hip-belt buckle can be slightly fiddly
- Not an ultralight pack
- Correct suspension setup may require some initial experimentation
- No dedicated rain-cover compartment
- Sustained wet-weather performance not tested
HSA Rating
Performance: 9/10
Design & usability: 9/10
Comfort & fit: 9/10
Weight & packability: 8/10
Durability: 9/10
Overall: 8.8/10
Value has not been scored because South African retail pricing had not been confirmed at the time of this pre-launch review. We will update the article once local pricing is available.
Disclosure: The Naturehike Seek Wind Pro backpacks tested in this review were supplied by Naturehike Africa for field testing. Hiking South Africa has a commercial relationship with Naturehike Africa and may earn revenue from Naturehike products purchased through the HSA store. This commercial relationship does not influence our reviews or ratings.